Negligence May Be the Cause of Your Car Accident

Negligence is a key factor in many car accidents, and understanding it is essential for legal and insurance purposes. Negligence refers to a driver’s failure to exercise reasonable care while operating a vehicle, leading to harm to others. Here’s what you need to know:

• Duty of Care: Drivers have a legal duty to use reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others on the road. This means following traffic laws, maintaining a safe speed, and not engaging in reckless behavior.
• Proving Negligence: To establish negligence in a car accident case, you must demonstrate that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care. This often involves providing evidence of actions such as speeding, running red lights, or distracted driving.
• Liability: If a driver’s negligence leads to an accident and injuries, they can be held liable for the resulting damages. This liability typically involves compensating the injured party for medical expenses, property damage, and pain and suffering.
• Defenses: Drivers accused of negligence may raise defenses such as claiming they were not at fault or that the injured party contributed to the accident. However, these defenses may not always absolve them of liability.
• Statutory Violations: In some cases, negligence can be established by citing a statutory violation, such as a traffic law. Violating these statutes can create a presumption of negligence, putting the burden on the driver to prove that their actions were not a proximate cause of the accident.

In summary, negligence can indeed be the cause of a car accident, and it forms the basis for many car accident claims and lawsuits. Understanding how negligence is defined and proven is crucial when pursuing compensation or defending against claims in the aftermath of an accident.

Common Car Accident Injuries 

The common injuries after a car accident can vary depending on the severity of the crash, the type of collision, and the use of safety equipment. However, some of the most common injuries include:

• Whiplash: This is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly and violently jerked back and forth. It is caused by the sudden deceleration of the car, which causes the head to continue moving forward while the body is stopped by the seatbelt or airbag. Whiplash can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the neck. In severe cases, it can lead to permanent damage to the neck muscles and ligaments.
• Head and brain injuries: Head injuries are a leading cause of death and disability in car accidents. They can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). TBIs can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and personality changes. In severe cases, they can lead to coma or death.
• Back injuries: Back injuries are another common type of injury in car accidents. They can range from muscle strains and sprains to spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, numbness, and weakness in the arms and legs.
• Broken bones: Broken bones are also common in car accidents. The most common broken bones are in the arms, legs, and ribs. In severe cases, broken bones can lead to internal bleeding and other complications.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, and bruises. They are caused by the stretching or tearing of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissue injuries can be painful and can take weeks or months to heal.
• Eye injuries: Eye injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries, such as detached retinas and corneal abrasions. Eye injuries can cause pain, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. In severe cases, they can lead to blindness.
• Burns: Burns can occur in car accidents if the vehicle catches fire or if the victim is exposed to hot liquids or steam. Burns can be superficial, involving only the outer layer of skin, or they can be deep, involving the underlying tissues. Burns can cause pain, scarring, and disability.
• Internal injuries: Internal injuries can occur in car accidents when the force of the impact causes organs to be bruised, lacerated, or ruptured. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and can require surgery to repair.

It is important to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident, even if you do not feel injured. This is because some injuries, such as internal injuries, may not be immediately apparent. You should also contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.

Common Trauma Resulting from Madera Auto Accidents

Auto accidents in Madera can result in various types of trauma, both physical and emotional. Common trauma resulting from these accidents includes:

• Emotional Trauma: Car accidents can cause significant emotional distress. Symptoms may include sleep disturbances, disordered thinking, moodiness, and irritability. Approximately nine percent of survivors eventually develop emotional trauma.
• Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Car accidents are a leading cause of PTSD. Symptoms may include depression, panic attacks, reoccurring nightmares about the crash, and intense fearfulness. These can lead to avoidance behaviors and increased stress.
• Anxiety and Depression: The healing process after an accident may bring increased stress, anxiety, and depression. These emotional challenges are common among accident survivors and can impact daily life.
• Intrusive Memories: PTSD victims may relive the traumatic event through intrusive memories. These memories can be distressing and affect one’s quality of life. Sometimes, these symptoms may not appear until months or even years after the accident.

It’s crucial for individuals involved in auto accidents in Madera to seek appropriate medical and psychological support to address both the physical and emotional trauma that can result from these incidents.

After a Serious Madera Automobile Accident, What to Do?

If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident in Madera, there are crucial steps to follow:

• Safety First: Check for injuries and ensure your safety. If needed, call emergency services.
• Contact Authorities: Report the accident to law enforcement and exchange information with other drivers.
• Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, seek medical evaluation. Document injuries for insurance purposes.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, damages, and license plates. Get contact info from witnesses.
• Inform Your Insurer: Report the accident to your insurance company, providing accurate details.
• Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to medical instructions and attend follow-up appointments.
• Avoid Admissions of Fault: Avoid admitting fault to other parties or on social media.
• Consult Legal Help: If serious injuries or complex issues arise, consult a Madera Car Accident Lawyer.
• Collect Evidence: Keep medical records, accident reports, and correspondence with insurers.
• Communicate Cautiously: Be careful discussing the accident; statements might affect your claim.
• Know Your Rights: Understand available benefits and compensation options.

Compensation for Victims of Automobile Accidents in Madera

The amount of compensation that a victim of an automobile accident in Madera can receive depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. However, there are some general types of damages that may be recoverable, including:

• Medical expenses: This includes the cost of all medical treatment that is necessary as a result of the accident, such as hospital bills, doctor’s visits, surgery, and prescription medication.
• Lost wages: If the victim is unable to work due to their injuries, they may be able to recover the wages that they would have earned if they had not been injured.
• Property damage: If the victim’s car is damaged in the accident, they may be able to recover the cost of repairs or the value of the car if it is totaled.
• Pain and suffering: This is compensation for the physical and emotional pain and suffering that the victim experiences as a result of the accident.
• Wrongful death: If the victim dies as a result of the accident, their family may be able to recover damages for their loss.

The amount of compensation that a victim can receive will also depend on the amount of insurance coverage that the at-fault driver has. In California, the minimum amount of liability insurance that a driver is required to carry is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury. However, many drivers carry more than the minimum amount of insurance. If the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for all of the victim’s damages, the victim may be able to sue the driver for the difference.

Call a Madera Car Accident Lawyer at Pacific Attorney Group for a Free Consultation

If you have been injured in a car accident, then you need an experienced Madera car accident lawyer who will help you navigate difficult legal and medical obstacles that you will undoubtedly encounter. We are aware of the mounting expenses, declining revenue due to all the lost work, and the frustrating interactions with the insurance provider.

You’ve already suffered enough injuries; don’t put yourself through this. To begin reclaiming your life, contact our team away. Call the Pacific Attorney Group today at 1-800-358-9617 and get connected to an experienced Madera car accident lawyer who will fight aggressively for you. There is never a fee unless we win your case and your initial consultation is free.